A recruter from Arthrex talks to a student during a career fair. Job growth has averaged more than 200,000 a month since November.

Written by

Tim Engstrom
| tengstrom@news-press.com

Unemployment fell to 7.7 percent in February, its lowest level in four years, as employers added 236,000 U.S. jobs.

The February jobs report issued Friday capped a week of encouraging economic reports with strong findings: Job growth has averaged more than 200,000 a month since November. Wages rose. And the job gains were broad-based, led by the most construction hiring in six years.

The strong jobs report closed out a week that also saw the Dow Industrial Average set a new record high on Tuesday, then post gains every day after to close Friday at 14,397. ...